. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/INF/152 
29 May 2009 
 
 (09-2607) 
  
  
 
INFORMATION NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
 
 
WTO Open Day 
 
6 September 2009 
 
  On 6 September 2009 the WTO will open its doors to the general public with the objective of 
bringing together WTO Members, staff  and local residents.  By explaining what we do, who we are, and how the WTO affects the lives of citizens around the world, we hope to present ourselves 
positively to the Geneva community. This family orie nted event also aims at enhancing the public's 
image of the WTO by presenting a human face.     We want to organize this event in cooperation with Members as a strong signal that we are all 
part of the Geneva community.  This event will also  provide an opportunity for the general public to 
meet delegates as well as WTO staff.   
 
 We invite you to contribute to the open day by setting up your own stand where you can make 
available to the public some of your national food a nd drinks. You may also wish to briefly present to 
visitors the main benefits of WTO Membership fo r your country.  A number of meeting rooms will be 
set up for this purpose, offering you the opportunity to  distribute materials and to have face-to-face 
contact with the public.  
  If you are interested in participating or wish to provide any insights on activities that we could 
consider to ensure that this open day is a success,  please contact Maria Perez-Esteve (tel.: 739 55 46, 
email: maria.perez-esteve@wto.org
) or Anoush Der Boghossian (tel.: 739 5075, email: 
Anoush.DerBoghossian@wto.org ) from the Information and External Relations Division.  Please find 
attached a draft programme for this event. 
  This event requires your active support and engage ment.  I therefore urge you to reserve the 
date in your calendars, and make your best effort s to attend with your family . Your participation will 
be invaluable to making this a meaningful and successful event. ..... WT/INF/152 
Page 2  
 
  WTO Open Day 
Draft Programme 
Sunday, 6 September 10:00 -- 18:00 
 
 
 
10:00   Opening Ceremony  in CR   Welcome Address (5-8 minutes each)    WTO Director General, Pascal Lamy 
  Federal Councillor, Micheline Calmy Rey (tbc) 
  Mayor of Geneva, Rémy Pagani (tbc)   Geneva Cabinet Minister, Mark Muller (tbc)   Chairman of the General Council, Mario Matus   
  Film   
  Q&A session    Tour of the WTO building and artworks    (exhibition in CR Lobby, DGs office a nd exhibition in Salle des Pas Perdus) 
 11:30  Film projection in CR meeting room  
 
11:45  Q&A session   12:00   Tour of the WTO building and artworks   (Exhibitions in CR Lobby and Salle des Pas Perdus, DG's office) 
 
18:00  End of Open Day   A brief film about the WTO will be played ev ery 30 min continuously throughout the day in 
the CR meeting room between 10h and 17h30.  Gu ided visits of the WTO will be organized 
throughout the day.  The tours will commence in the CR Lobby immediately following the questions 
and answers session each time the film is shown. 
  National Stands will be set up on the terrace of the lake-side of the WTO building.  (Food and 
drinks will be available throughout the day)  
 Meeting rooms X, A, B and C will be available for delegates from Member countries to 
explain to visitors the benefits of WTO Member ship from the point of view of a developed, 
developing and least-developed country, respectively.   
  Activities for children will be ongoing throug hout the day  i.e., face-painting, drawing 
contest, etc. 
 
 
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